1. Any crude, sharp weapon created from otherwise non-imposing objects. Screwdrivers, socket wrenches and hammers are not considered "shanks" because (a) they are not homemade, (b) they are not "crude," improvised weapons, (c) tools are inherently dangerous to begin with, and (d) none of them, with the exception of the screwdriver, are sharp objects. Shanks are created by the desperate for the purpose of stabbing, not bludgeoning.

A true shank would be something like:
- A broken piece of glass with a wrapped towel for a handle.
- A broken piece of plexiglass. Prison lunch trays are made of plexiglass, so shattering one might yield a suitable shank.
- A sharpened piece of wood, usually whittled into a stake rather than a shank, but as it is used for stabbing it is considered a shank nonetheless.
- A sharpened piece of scrap metal. Can be pilfered from just about anywhere.

2. A shank is also the U-shaped part of a padlock, or any other narrow-but-essential part of an object.

a prisoner-made knife like weapon usually made of metal. the first such weapons were fashioned form the metal shanks on prison issue boots. because of this, most modern prisons no longer issue prisoners boots with metal shanks

Cricket always makes the best shanks for 20 cigarettes and a pair of boots.

As in golf when the golfer misses the intended target,too in vaginal intercourse the target is missed.While in the missionary position during the intensity of the moment if the males back stroke is to great it can result in a missed target.Instead of the penis re-entering the pussy the penis enters the females anus.Unlike golf the shanker might get delight from it.

Two co-workers {Mike and Harry}at the water cooler monday morning."Mike what did you do this weekend"?"I went golfing"."How did you do"?"I would've done o.k. but I Shanked it on the 9th hole"."That sucks"."So how about you what did you get into this weekend Harry"?"I shanked one too"."Oh yea,did you go golfing too"?"Na,me and the old lady was fuckin and I messed up my back stroke and buried it in her ass".Harry and Mike high five each other.